Over time, the Cardinals haven’t been known as a home run-hitting franchise, Mark McGwire being a notable exception. While this current feat is an admirable measure of balance, it isn’t unusual for a number of other MLB clubs.

According to researcher Tom Orf, across MLB history, five different teams had seven players with 20 home runs or more. 13 clubs had six hitters with at least 20 long balls. With their current total of five, the 2012 Cardinals joined 66 other teams in MLB annals that accomplished it before them.

To me, the most notable member of the Cardinals current longball five is Molina, who is beginning to receive notice in discussions about the National League Most Valuable Player. On Wednesday night, he became the first Cardinals catcher to hit 20 or more home runs in a season since Ted Simmons had 21 in 1980.

In fact, Molina is now tied with Simba for third on the single-season home run list by a Cardinals catcher. With one more, he will tie for second. While Molina would need a whopping six more in St. Louis’ final 13 games to gain a share of the top, his feat is still most admirable.

Home runs as a catcher, St. Louis Cardinals, season, team history

Player

Year

HR

Ted Simmons

1979

26

Ted Simmons

1977

21

Ted Simmons

1980

20

Yadier Molina

2012

20

Ted Simmons

1978

18

Ted Simmons

1974

17

Ted Simmons

1975

16

Ted Simmons

1972

15

Darrell Porter

1983

15

Yadier Molina

2011

14

Ted Simmons

1973

13

Gene Oliver

1962

13

Tim McCarver

1967

13

Eddie Ainsmith

1922

13

Hal Smith

1959

13

Tom Pagnozzi

1996

13

Todd Zeile

1990

12

Del Rice

1947

12

Bill DeLancey

1934

12

Carl Sawatski

1962

12

Darrell Porter

1982

12

Tim McCarver

1966

12

Joe Torre

1970

11

Del Rice

1952

11

Darrell Porter

1984

11

Tim McCarver

1965

11

Walker Cooper

1944

11

Darrell Porter

1985

10

Tony Pena

1988

10

(Note that the above table does not include home runs hit that season while playing at other positions.)

7 Responses to “Molina, Simmons and Cardinals 20 home run hitters”

Molina is getting more notice for MVP, but he is still behind Posey, Braun, and McCutcheon.

McCutcheon’s performance has dropped off and his team is sinking fast. His August was terrible and his September numbers are better but still not significantly better than Molina’s. Braun has great numbers and his team is surging, but I wonder if his PED issues will haunt him. Posey clearly is the front runner, but I get a little annoyed at all the “best catcher in the NL” labels he gets. He’s the best offensive player who just happens to be a catcher, that is all. He might as well play another position, because it isn’t his catching abilities that stand out. They are pretty average. I know defense is weighted much lower when MVP voting comes around, but in my opinion it shouldn’t be, especially for one with the defensive caliber of Molina who stands out head and shoulders above the rest. But, it is what it is, and Molina would have to have a surge in his offensive numbers in the last two weeks to have any shot of overtaking Posey.

I would value a great defensive catcher over a great defensive anything else. Offense is important, but you only get 4-5 at bats a game. The catcher has a bigger role in many, many more at-bats on the defensive side.

So if you’re evaluating two catchers for the MVP, I would think the defensive aspect has to play a bigger role than if you were evaluating two OFs. But I obviously don’t get asked to vote on it, and am probably a bit partial. I did name my dog Yadi to be completely honest.

Molina has always been able to make contact. He does not whiff easily.
His evolution into excellent hitter has taken time. He has taken a major leap forward during 2011 and 2012, his 8th and 9th seasons in the Show. His worst season as a hitter was his 3rd, 2006, when his OPS was beneath 600, beneath the Izturis line. Now it is near 900. Baseball entails learning and ML players can improve their hitting through the years. Molina is one of the clearest examples of hitting improvement.